Scouting Vernon Hills

VERNON HILLS

Coach: Paul Brettner (17th season)

Last season: 16-13, 7-5 in North Suburban Prairie, lost to St. Viator in Class 3A Ridgewood regional final

Key losses: G Dana Meline, G Danielle Comitor, G Dakiya Daniels (transferred)

Returning players: Sr. F Becky Bahlmann (5-10), Sr. G Katie Burrows (5-6), So. F Kayla Caudle (6-0), Sr. G Sophia Lehocky (5-9), Sr. G Sarah Demas (5-4), Sr. G Emma Pappano (5-4), So. G Piper Bedell (5-7), Sr. G Sammie Biede (5-5)

Newcomers: Jr. F Tatiana Guletsky (5-9), Fr. G Kylie Bunning (5-8), So. G Delaney Bowen (5-5), Jr. F Alexi Viviano (5-7), Jr. F Rachel D'Argo (5-5), Jr. G Nicole Pieper (5-6)

Outlook: In their final season as a member of the North Suburban Conference Prairie Division last winter, the Cougars knew it was Antioch against the rest. Antioch won the division going away with a 12-0 record. "Grant could beat Lakes, Lakes could beat Grant, we could beat Lakes, and Lakes could beat us," said coach Paul Brettner, whose Cougars went 7-5 in the division. "We split a lot with a fair amount of teams." As the Cougars embark on their inaugural season as a member of the Central Suburban League North Division, Brettner sees parity again, with Maine West the favorite, despite the passing of longtime coach Derril Kipp in July. "It seems to me (the CSL North) shapes up a lot like the Prairie did last year," Brettner said. "Maine West is probably looking to take a big step. But then there's the variability of losing their hall-of-fame coach." Brettner brings back three starters in sophomore forward Kayle Caudle, senior forward Becky Bahlmann and senior guard Katie Burrows. Caudle and Bahlmann were both all-NSC selections last season. The 6-foot Caudle, a Daily Herald All-Area pick as well, averaged 11.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. "She was one of the rare freshmen that was ready (for varsity basketball)," Brettner said. "The speed of the game didn't faze her. She looks great." Bahlmann, who's been on varsity since she was a freshman, was the Cougars' second-leading scorer (8 ppg). Burrows and fellow senior Sophia Lehocky also played on varsity two seasons ago. Softball-star Delaney Bowen joins the varsity hoops team, giving the Cougars another sophomore. Brettner also has up freshman guard Kylie Bunning, who's the sister of Cougars track star Jordyn Bunning. Guard Dakiya Daniels, who played a lot last season on varsity, transferred after her dad, former NFL player Phillip Daniels, took an assistant-coaching job with the Philadelphia Eagles. Another player who was up as a freshman last season, guard Piper Bedell, is also back. "I think we'll be competitive," Brettner said. "They're a fun group to coach. The seniors (Bahlmann, Burrows, Lehocky, Sarah Demas, Emma Pappano, Sammie Biede) are really great. We should be in every game and hopefully on the good side of things more often than not."